A pair of Microsoft internal strategy memoranda leaked to ESR in
late 1998 that confirmed everybody's paranoia about the current
Evil Empire. These documents praised
the technical excellence of Linux and outlined a
counterstrategy of attempting to lock in customers by
“de-commoditizing” Internet protocols and services. They were
extensively cited on the Internet and in the press and proved so
embarrassing that Microsoft PR barely said a word in public for six months
afterwards.